Friday, November 9, 2012

Wish Quilt Reveal!

"They" were waiting for me at the post office on Monday morning and I couldn't wait to get home to open the parcel. Ollie had a hard time waiting as well.

So are you going to open it?

My Wish and Comfort & Joy quilts had arrived back home!I found myself doing what I do on Christmas morning...waiting just that little bit longer to open each gift in order to savour the anticipation of what lay inside.

It's nothing to eat, Ollie...see?

I literally ran up to my studio as soon as I unpacked the quilts. The custom, free-motion quilting is drop dead gorgeous...thank you again, Alice...and I couldn't stop myself from running my hands over them. They are ever so soft and pliable, even with all the wool appliqued elements and quilting.

I immediately cut and prepared the binding and went to work. By 9:30 p.m. I had pulled the last stitch and my Wish quilt was finished. All there was left to do was to add some embellishments but that would have to wait until the next day.This is the first Christmas quilt I've made and I assure you that the photos do not do it justice. It's been raining for a week now and the lighting is very poor.

And now...the REVEAL!I made quite a few changes to Bronwyn's original layout but I didn't alter the stitching designs. What a gifted and generous artist she is!

A few close ups...

The back...

Can I lie on it now?

After that resounding, "NO!", I think I'll go and join Frankie in our bed then.

Move over, Frankie.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed making this quilt. I changed it somewhat to include the three things I love to do...piecing, stitching and wool-on-cotton applique. It wasn't a difficult quilt to make but there is a lot of handwork involved. I didn't use any Christmas fabrics because I find them too predictable. I pulled various reds, creams and beiges from my stash and purchased a few fat quarters to add a variety of color to the mix.If you would like to make one for yourself, you may find the free pattern on the Red Brolly blog. The instructions start here and then you have to scroll forward to the next installment, typically a few posts ahead. In all there are 30 pages to download and print.

My Comfort & Joy quilt is also finished but you're going to have to wait until next time for the reveal. Oh happy day!Stay tuned!

Gorgeous quilt. I too tend to make some changes on patterns. It's almost impossible not to. I do the same with cooking recipes.The quilting is amazing. I wish I lived nearer. Ollie and Frankie are looking great,too.Hugs,Teresa

HI KAREN! IT IS SNOWING HERE IN MONTANA+I'M QUILTING AWAY! JUST HAD TO TELL YOU HOW GORGEOUS YOUR QUILT IS-JUST SPECTACULAR! I LOVE IT+WISH TO DO ONE SIMILAR! THANKS FOR SHARING THE PHOTOS! LOVE+GOOD HEALTH TO YOU!

P.S. I LOVED SEEING THOSE "OTHER TWO" LITTLE ONES TOO! THEY REALLY DO LIKE EACH OTHER!

Wow that is glorious! I love that you didn't use the cutesy, cutesy Christmas fabric. I agree whole heartedly. it's just to predictable. That Ollie has really grown a ton it seems. He is glorious too! Thank you for sharing. I would love to see your quilt again when you display it!

I am speechless...well, not really...I have many words, like awesome, stunning, spectacular, gorgeous and so forth. You and Bronwyn sure work well together! I love how you ombined her skills and talents with yours and created a Christmas masterpiece! Well done, and the quilting, as you say, is drop dead gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Love the quilt and the way you laid it out with the raindeer jumping and moveing all over... I went to the site and down loaded the patterns and might even get it started by the first of the year.Thank you for sharing

As if Ollie and Frankie were not cute enough, this quilt is stunning. I thought it was beautiful and Christmas classic before it was quilted, now it is just perfect. Your quilter friend is extremely talented. Lucky You.

Your quilt turned out fabulous, and oh my what exquisite quilting on it! What a treasure. I have the patterns, now to find/make time to do it. A few other embroidery projects are ahead of this one, but I do want to make it.

Girl you are such a tease!!! I thought we would never get to see the quilt---LOL O.M.Goodness it is sooooo GORgeous!! Oh between you and your quilter you have a masterpiece. Now I can't wait to see Comfort and Joy. :)

Wow, it is so beautiful! When I saw the link to the pattern and that it is free I WANT to make one too! But I am afraid it will never be done, I have quite a few other projects that I have not finished. Maybe...maybe....one day....

I forgot to say that I agree with you re Christmas fabrics :-)I have put a link on my blog, so others can see this wonderful quilt.And a request: can I please keep a picture of your quilt on my PC ( for a reference and no other purpose)?

Kaaren, what a magnificent quilt - the design, the handwork and piecing and the quilting all go together to make a masterpiece! And how big Ollie is getting! He's quite a handsome lad, though Frankie doesn't look at all impressed with him. LOL

Congratulations on your finish! It is beautiful! I am just starting the embroidery on mine. I notice you skipped the satin stitches, I am thinking of skipping those on mine, too. Now I am anxious to finish mine.

Kaaren I have been following your progress with this Wish quilt, and I so thrilled to see it all finished! KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF!!Your stitching is just so perfect & even, & I love that you have put your own ideas to it. The quilting is at once very amazing in itself, but also shows off your wonderful work.Congrats!!

Holy Moly, Kaaren! At first I thought you were going to make us wait some more then I read farther along and ohhh'd and ahhhh'd at each picture (yes, Ollie and Frankie that includes you two darlings as well)! You and Alice are an amazing team!Cheers!

The Wish Quilt is gorgeous. You really did finish it fast. Do you mind me asking what embroiderythread you used on the Wish Quilt?Can't wait for the next Show n tell.I fall in love with Ollie every time I see a picture of him. What a cutie.Janet

I ♥ my friends

About Me

I am an artist and have recently retired from actively designing, publishing and travel teaching in the decorative painting industry. In December of 2010, we moved from Eastern Ontario to the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Quilting, stitching, wool applique and rug hooking are just a few of my passions.
During the last 5 years I have released over 40 new and FREE designs here on my blog. Just scroll down and you'll find the links to all of my FREE patterns available in PDF format under the title First Friday Freebies and More First Friday Freebies. Click on them one at a time to download and print the photos, instructions and line drawings. Enjoy!